And The Winner Is ............ Part 5
Part 5
“And our Queen of the night is ….. TESS RIZALDE!”
Napuno ang auditorium ng masigabong palakpakan. Napakatamis ng ngiti ni Tess samantalang si Anne ay napaluha sa tinanggap na pagkatalo.
Nakangiti pa rin na humarap si Tess kay Anne, yumakap at humalik sa pisngi nito, tapos ay bumulong, “Sorry Anne, be contented with being 2nd place. You’ve always been second fiddle to me. That’s something you can’t change. You will always be number 2...”
Pagkatapos ay humarap na ulit si Tess sa mga tao, tinaggap ang korona, kapa at setro tanda ng pagkakapanalo niya.
“Well, compadre, comadre, congratulations,” bati ni Jaime at Margie kay Fred at Nicole.
“Thank you. I know it was very close and it could have gone either way. Anyway, we consider them both winners, don’t we honey?” baling ni Fred sa asawang si Nicole.
“Oh yes. Anyway this is really for the school’s benefit. This coronation night is just icing on the cake so to speak.”
Lumapit si Nicole kay Margie at humalik sa pisngi. “Marge, I hope there’s no hard feelings over this.”
“Of course not, don’t be silly, Nicole. I just hope Anne can get over this quickly enough. I know how much she wanted to win this one but it’s not the end of the world. Again, congratulations,” pagkatapos ay humalik din si Margie kay Nicole.
“Compadre, bati ni Nicole kay Jaime habang humalik din sa pisngi ni Jaime pagkatapos ay bumulong ito, “I know how ‘hard and how big’ you’ve helped Tess win this one. I’m grateful. I’ll call you at your office on Monday, ok?”
Makahulugan ang titig nito kay Jaime na medyo ikinakaba nito. Di siya nakasagot. Pagkatapos ay nagpaalaman na ang magka-kaibigan. Habang masayang umuwi si Tess kasama ang kanyang mga magulang, humahagulgol naman si Anne sa dibdib ng ina.
Alas 12 ng tanghali araw ng Lunes, nasa labas ng opisina ang sekretarya n’ya, nanananghalian, nakatanggap ng tawag sa telepono si Jaime sa kanyang office. “Hello, this is Jaime, who’s this please?”
“Jim? This is Nicole. Did I call you at a bad time?”
“Nicole? Hi comadre. No, no, no. Of course not. What can I do for you?” medyo nag-aalangan na tanong nito.
I just want to thank you personally for being so instrumental in Tess’ campaign. I know how helpful you were. I know that aside from the Php 5,000.00 that Marge and I agreed upon as pledges to each other, you gave an additional Php 50,000.00. You see, Tess and I have no secrets from each other.”
“Ha? Ah, eh, what do you mean, comadre?”
“Oh, Tess told me an interesting story about how you offered more money to help her candidacy.”
“I can explain that, comadre.”
“Really? Is an explanation needed? I didn’t call to ask for one.”
“Ah, oo, yes, I can. If you will allow me.”
“OK, big boy. I’ll give you a chance. Meet me for lunch. Better yet, cancel all your appointments for the rest of this afternoon.”
“What? Ah, eh, ok. Sure. Where do we meet for lunch?”
“Tess mentioned to me a certain suite in a certain hotel. You know where it is?”
“Ah, yes, comadre, I know about it. I’ll make the arrangement. Right away. Ah, Nicole, does Fred know?”
“Would you like Fred to know?”
“I’d prefer that everything remain between us, comadre.”
“That would depend on you. If, ah, hmm, I’m, uh, satisfied with, ah, your performance, err, explanation, perhaps no one else will know. Now, I’ll see you in about one hour. Don’t keep me waiting, naughty boy. Have the jacuzzi ready. I’ve heard about your trick about it!”
“Yes, sure, ok, fine. I won’t make you wait. The jacuzzi will be ready when you get there. See you in a while.”
Paglabas n’ya ng opisina, tamang-tama na nakabalik na ang sekretarya n’ya. Pinagbilinan ni Jaime ang sekretarya niya na i-cancel lahat ang meeting nya sa araw na iyon at paghandain ang driver nito dahil aalis s’ya, pagkatapos ay tumawag na sya sa hotel at pinahanda ulit ang suite niya.
Pagbaba niya sa basement parking ay nakaabang na ang kanyang driver. Pagkasakay ay inutusan na tumuloy na sa hotel at sinabing may importante syang ka-meeting at di dapat maistorbo hanggat di tapos ang meeting.
Pagdating sa hotel ay dali-dali na itong umakyat sa suite, dumeretso sa bathroom Jacuzzi at sinimulang ipunan ng timpladong tubig ito.
Maya-maya pa ay tumunog na ang doorbell. Sumilip sya sa peephole at nakita si Nicole sa labas ng pintuan. Pinagbuksan nya ito ng pinto at inanyayahang pumasok sa loob ng suite.
“Are we alone here?” tanong ni Nicole.
“Yes, why?”
“Because I don’t want anyone to know about this and I don’t want to be disturbed. Better put up that ‘Please Don’t Disturb’ sign outside the door.”
Tumalima si Jaime at saka nagtanong, “What are we going to talk about?” Isinara ulit ang pintuan pagkasabit ng sign.
Lumapit si Nicole kay Jaime at hinawakan ng pasabunot ang buhok nito, “You’ve been very glib and touchy feely with my daughter, Jimmy boy. Tess told me how well you used your tongue, hands and fingers. Now it’s my turn to know if they were true. Are you ready?”
End of Part 5